ARDSLEY-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Organizers of the First Annual Global Renewable Energy Networking Summit have announced that several of the country’s top leaders in the green hospitality industry have accepted invitations to speak and participate in discussion panels at the upcoming three-day event. Executive chairperson Clare Misquitta and event organizers confirmed that Scott Parisi, president of EcoGreenHotel and John Grillo, president of National Energy Services Co., will co-deliver a keynote address at the summit, which is being convened April 15 to 17 at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center in Macungie, Pa. “We are delighted that Scott and John have...

HILLSBORO, ORE.—The Crowne Plaza in Austin, Texas, has chosen Caroma, a leader in dual flush toilets, to provide 297 high efficiency toilets for the property’s newly renovated guestrooms. Crowne Plaza has selected Caroma toilets to help maximize water savings and reduce maintenance costs in the bathroom. The entire hotel is being retrofitted with Sydney Smart 270 Easy Height Elongated toilets, a two button toilet using 1.28 gallons per flush for solid waste and 0.8 gallons for liquid and paper waste, averaging only 0.90 gallons based on a 1:4 full/half flush ratio. This saves 82 percent of the water used by...

LAS VEGAS—Eco Exotic, a group of Indonesian furnishing companies, will unveil a new set of sustainable creations at the Hospitality Design and Exposition Conference in Las Vegas (May 14-16) that marry innovative designs, attractive pricing—and a deep-rooted respect for nature. Rather than use timber from native rainforests, Eco Exotic has turned to more sustainable sources of wood for its furniture. This is how discarded railway sleepers find a new life when artfully turned into a simple glass-top occasional table, and teak sourced from a community-based forest provides the essence of an elegant lounge chair or desk chair for a hotel...

DALTON, GA.—Healthier Choice rolled out its new Double-Term Carpet Texture Retention Warranty for residential carpet cushion. The new warranty applies to all residential carpet cushions manufactured by Healthier Choice. The new cushion warranty effectively doubles the texture retention warranty of any residential carpet installed over Healthier Choice residential carpet cushion. The cushion warranty takes effect upon the expiration of the installed carpet manufacturer’s texture retention warranty and then remains in effect for an equal amount of time. “We are very excited to offer this additional warranty,” said Craig Poteet, Healthier Choice president. “Residential cushions from Healthier Choice carry the industry’s...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Green Key Global as a Founding Sponsor. Green Key Global is a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental performance. Based on the results of a comprehensive online environmental audit, facilities are awarded a one to five Green Key rating and given guidance on how to “unlock” opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, employee training, and supply chain management. Green Key Global is unique in that it is administered entirely online. Once registered,...

INDIANAPOLIS—The new Sprout Out Collection features Gilchrist & Soames’ proprietary Naturally Kind formulations, which contain no sulfates (SLS/SLES), DMDM hydantoin, parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA or propylene glycol. They do feature food-grade, naturally derived USP glycerin; natural conditioning agents from honey and the Brassica plant; and soybean and cottonseed oil, instead of petrochemicals. The formulations are also free of any artificial colors or dyes. “We are proud to introduce our Naturally Kind formulations,” says Christina Mavity, Gilchrist & Soames research and development director. “The surfactant products—shampoo, conditioning shampoo and shower gel—are sulfate-free, yet create rich and...

LOS ANGELES—Bentley Prince Street announced that it is collaborating with designer Clodagh on a new floor covering collection—the Tuscon Collection. Together, this world-renowned designer and carpet manufacturer have teamed up to offer the design community three new coordinated solution dyed patterns. Consistent with Clodagh’s signature environments that celebrate the “experience of living,” the Tucson Collection is inspired by the colorful topography and living elements of Arizona. From red skies to abundant cacti and vast wildlife, the intricate designs evoke the essence of the quintessential desert land and all the varied elements of nature. All three styles—Canyon Rapids, Saguaro...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp., a leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with the 2009 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes the company’s leadership in offering consumers appliance energy and water efficiency through its portfolio of brands. This is the company’s tenth Energy Star award and fourth consecutive Sustained Excellence win. Whirlpool Corp. will accept the award at ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2009. “Whirlpool Corporation is honored to again receive the Energy Star Sustained Excellence award,” said Mike...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Smart Candle as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Smart Candle specializes in the supply of fixed and portable lighting power for both consumer and industrial applications. Product examples include the new Evolution Rechargeable System with Smart Guard Anti-theft Technology, Electric LED Chandelier Candle bulb replacements, and LED candle wall systems. Smart Candle is known for its “flicker without the flame” products. For more information, call (888) 768-2635, e-mail info@smartcandle.com, or go to www.smartcandle.com.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Architectural Systems, Inc. (ASI) as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The company is offering VenCork™ to the lodging industry. It combines the refined style of natural wood with the benefits of a cork substrate. This ASI Flooring collection offers a real wood veneer with a protective surface layer that will meet any durability requirement. The material is offered in eight colors with custom capabilities. FSC-certified veneers are also available. In addition to flooring options such as VenCork™, ASI offers a complete collection of wood panels, decorative...